By: Zethu Gweva
Illegal electrical connections set homes alight living families stranded.
According to a Parkridge resident, Donae Carelse who runs a soup kitchen, the shacks which caused the fire have erupted again and have electricity.
“This causes the lights in houses to flicker and damages electrical appliances. Even if the lights come back the units are less,” said Carelse.
She added that a handful of residents in the area purchase electricity.
“Only a few of us buy electricity and I think it is very unfair that the cause of the fire is back up,” she said.
Carelse assists fire victims with cooked meals and clothes.
“We also have a few contributors who donated food parcels for the shack fire victims namely, Boxer Superstore in Duncan Village, Hawks Motorcycle Club, Transnet and the beverage company.”
She said without the donors she would be unable to assist the victims.
One of the victims Brenda Fivefan whose house was burnt down said she is traumatized as she almost lost everything but managed to take her children to safety.
“My grandchildren keep on asking when we are going back home. I would really appreciate it if they can put up a temporary structure on the premises because we are cramped up in one room and I have a chronic condition,” said Fivefen.
BCM News was unable to get a comment from the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya.